Don-E - Fakin' The Funk - UKCDS - (1995)

4th & Broadway BRCD 290

320 RE-UP! Originally posted by Mickey P 13/07/2008

Mick says: After the hype, the success and the mistake, Don-E slipped away to produce his sophomore set. His return was greeted with a lot less fuss, many people have likely not heard of Changing Seasons, the album was certainly nowhere near as successful as Unbreakable. 

This was, I believe, the first single released before the album was released (but don't quote me) and Dodge from Dodge City Productions was called in for remix duty. The Soul Inside Mix gives a different slant to what is already a fair track but it don't raise it to essential. 

It is still a release worth having though and a promise of better to come.

Kymba says: I personally think Don-E gets better with age and his Try This album is near flawless. 

Back on track, this a wicked release. every track is good but Dodge's Soul Inside mix is the pick for me. There were also a set of "Crooklyn Dodge" mixes that I haven't got and would love to hear, if anyone out there has them?

Tracklist

1. Fakin' The Funk (Album Edit)
2. Fakin' The Funk (Soul Inside Mix)
3. Fakin' The Funk (Fakin' It Mix)
4. Tonight 

Discogs page 

Download: D-E-FTF.7z | Filesize: 46.2MB

Seanie T - S.O.S. - UK 12" - (2001)

Ill Flava Records – HGST001

Sean Theobalds aka Seanie T (also going by the name of Amedis), is a UK Hip Hop/Ragga emcee from South East London. He is also founder and head of Dark Horizon Rekordz, a UK hip hop label.

He was also in The Blacknificent Seven, a UK Hip Hop group featuring Estelle, Rodney P, Roots Manuva, Karl Hinds and more, but they only seemed active 2005 throuogh 2006.

S.O.S. (standing for Same Ol' Sean) is a straight banga produced by Amedis and Taipanic aka Tony Rotten from Black Twang, and features some nice backing vocals on the chorus courtesy of Blak Twang himself, Roots Manuva, Big Ted and our very own Karl Hinds.

Unfortunately never released on CD, this 12 is backed with a track called the Formidable, and there is an instrumental of both cuts, which may please you mixologists. Sadly there is no acapella, though.

Apologies for the audio quality, I'm not best placed to rip from vinyl any more. If anyone has a better rip they'd like to contribute I'd be happy to replace! (I also no longer work at the place with the A3 scanner so had to list the images from Discogs lol).

Enjoy this UKHH gem.

Tracklist

1. S.O.S. (Radio Edit) (Featuring Big Ted, Blak Twang, Karl Hinds, Roots Manuva)
2. S.O.S. (Instrumental)
3. The Formidable
4. The Formidable (Instrumental)

Discogs page

Download: ST-SOS.7z | Filesize: 42.6MB

Don-E - Peace In The World - UK CDS - (1992)

4th & Broadway – BRCD 256, 4th & Broadway – 864 091-2

I won't waste any time covering who Don-E is or what he means to me or the wider UK soul scene as that good stuff can all be found on previous write-ups by myself or Mick elsewhere on this blog.

Peace In The World is a beautiful, summery track and there isn't a bad version here.

The Urban Mix and Badboy Submix are my favourites, although if pushed, I'd probably go for the slightly more basic Badboy Submix. It's largely, vocals, beats and bassline, with minimal extra instrumentation, and song song really shines through (and that b-line is kinda nice, you know).

Again, Don-E is still active as an artist, both as part of the British Collective (please search out their album on Amazon or somewhere to support them) and go check out his personal BandCamp page. https://don-e1.bandcamp.com/ which has some heavy releases on there.

Tracklist

1. Peace In The World (Radio Mix)
2. Peace In The World (Urban Mix)
3. Peace In The World (Badboy Submix)
4. Skip To My Lou

Discogs page

Download: D-E-PITW.7z | Filesize: 39.8MB

Don-E - Oh My Gosh - UK CDS - (1992)

4th & Broadway – BRCD 260, PolyGram – 864 829-2

Don-E has been well documented on here so I'll keep this relatively short. As many of you know, he is a true UK icon and should be regarded alongside Omar as one of our greatest.

As far as I know, Oh My Gosh was Don-E's first release, so maybe I should've posted this first? :)

While it isn't his best ever work, it is a confident, nicely done mid-tempo joint and is well worth having in your collection.

All the mixes are decent but I think the Original 7" and stripped back Thunderstorm Mix are my favourites, as they let his vocal performance shine, and so edge it for me, but your mileage may vary, as Mick would say.

Don-E is still active as an artist, both as part of the British Collective (please search out their album on Amazon or somewhere to support them) and go check out his personal BandCamp page. https://don-e1.bandcamp.com/ which has some heavy releases on there.

Tracklist

1. Oh My Gosh (R&B Mix)
2. Oh My Gosh (Original 7" Mix)
3. Oh My Gosh (Dancehall Mix)
4. Oh My Gosh (Thunderstorm Mix)

Discogs page

Download: D_E-OMG.7z | Filesize: 36.8MB

Mac Band Featuring The McCampbell Brothers ‎– Roses Are Red - Euro Mini CDS - (1988)

MCA Records ‎– 257 859-2

Secind birthday post of the day and it is a straight classic.

"Roses Are Red" is a 1988 single by The Mac Band featuring The McCampbell Brothers, and produced by the legendary LA and Babyface. The Mac Band WERE the McCampbell brothers, so it's a slightly odd name?

This was their most successful of six chart singles on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, peaking at number one for one week on that chart. "Roses Are Red" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. In a weird twist of fate, it fared better this side of the big pond, where it hit #8 on the UK Singles Chart.

This Extended Version is pretty hard to find in good quality, so it is shared with love on here. There's also a nice instrumental version as well for creative mixology. I've also included the regular, non extended version from one of the Nite Flight albums.

"Roses Are Red" is a great, great piece of R&B with LA & babyface at the height of their powers, and is a real favourite of mine.

Tracklist

1. Roses Are Red (Extended Version)
2. Roses Are Red (Instrumental)
3. BONUS TRACK: Roses Are Red

Discogs page

Download: MB-RAR.7z | Filesize: 65.6MB

Bassomatic - Fascinating Rhythm - UK CDS - (1990)

Virgin ‎– VSCDT1274, Virgin ‎– VSCDT 1274

Wow! I'd put money on the fact that I'd already posted this a couple of years ago or more?

It seems not. What an oversight! Still, what better day to correct that than on my birthday, right?

An absolute BANGER from 1990 courtesy of William Orbit, which relies heavily on a Harry J All-Stars Liquidator (love that track) sample. This one is a UK urban classic so don't waste any more time reading my bollocks and go download it while it is still hot.

Now the best version of this track was always the Lisa Loud Mix, criminally overlooked in favour of a shortened edit. I've taken the liberty of fixing that mistake, and you can now find both versions here.

Trainspotters note: The artist name is also written as "Bass-o-matic" on the disc artwork and "Ba$$omatic" on the spine. I've gone with the front cover and Discogs.

Tracklist

1. Fascinating Rhythm (The Loud Edit)
2. Fascinating Rhythm (Soul Odyssey Mix)
3. Fascinating Rhythm (The Blue Mix)
4. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Bass (Va Va Voom Mix)
5. Bonus - Fascinating Rhythm (The Loud Mix)

Discogs page

Download: B-FR.7z | Filesize: 50MB

Levert - Casanova - US CDV - (1987)

Atlantic ‎– 7 81830-2, Atlantic ‎– 81830-2

This one takes me back! I was barely into double digits in age when I first heard it.

The Levert brothers are the sons of The O'Jays' founder and lead-singer Eddie Levert, and as a result, are something approaching R&B royalty. They released their debut album in 1985 

Gerald Levert was a Soul singer born in July 1966; Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. and died 10 November 2006 autopsy report concluded accidental overdose of prescription narcotics and over-the-counter drugs and pneumonia.

Sean Levert was born September 28, 1968 and sadly passed away March 30, 2008, 6 days after being admitted to jail (Cuyahoga County Correctional Facility). According to coroner's report his death was caused by complications from sarcoidosis, issues of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and withdrawal from Xanax. His wife won a lawsuit against Cuyahoga County and was awarded 4 million dollars.

Such a sad, sad end to a couple of legendary figures within the R&B scene.

What a great track! A true summertime jam for sure. And is it me, or do those drums sound a lot like the Bobby Brown Don't Be Cruel pattern?

This is the full original extended mix of Casanova, instead of the shorter edit that's been erroneously labelled on some compilations as 'extended'. 

It can be difficult to source so is shared with love and respect, as always. Also included is Throwdown and the regular, radio mix of Casanova.

Peace & luvizm x

Tracklist

1. Casanova (Extended Mix)
2. Throwdown
3. Casanova

Discogs page

Download: L-C.7z | Filesize: 53.5MB

Don-E - Crazy - UK CDS - (1993)

4th & Broadway – BRCD 272

The multi-talented Don-E found initial success, both here and stateside with the brilliant Love Makes The World Go Round, and associated album Unbreakable, back in 1992, which got to 18 on the UK charts.

His second album, 1995's Changing Seasons, didn't quite live up to the hype of the first and he parted company with the label, retreating into producing for others rather than being an artist himself. During this time he signed to D'Angelo's label, which is quite the honour!

Between these two albums he dropped the single 'Crazy' (or 'Craz-E' as shown on the cover). It featured on neither album though so I wonder if that was Don-E distancing himself from it?

He would return as an artist in a BIG way ten years later with Try This, in 2005, which is a wicked album, one my my favourites actually, and I urge you to go treat yourself to it. It's Neo soul at its best. More albums would follow: Natural (2008), Ladies Night Part 1 (2012), Little Star (2013), Future Rare Grooves (2014), Future Rares 2 (2015).

Despite our very own Mickey P being disparaging about this release, and the fact Don-E chose not to feature it on an album, I actually quite like it. Don't get it twisted, it is FAR from his best cut, but it isn't truly horrible.

The Brixton Flavour mix is probably the best option, but considering it is a Blacksmith production and features the always wicked General Levy, it isn't elevated much at all. The drums seem too weak and the bassline is pretty by-the-numbers. Shame.

Also included is a bonus rough n ready remix by yours truly, stripping out the drums and replacing it with the beats from Lords Of The Underground's classic cut Psycho. I used an AI to seperate the original track into stems and that's slightly affected the vocals in some parts?

Before I finish, Don-E is still active as an artist, both as part of the British Collective (please search out their album on Amazon or somewhere to support them) and go check out his personal BandCamp page. https://don-e1.bandcamp.com/ which has some heavy releases on there. 

Don-E is one of our own and deserves all the love we can offer him. 

Peace & luvizm x

Tracklist

1. Crazy (Radio Version)
2. Crazy (Brixton Flavour 12")
3. Unbreakable (Radio Remix)
4. Crazy (DON-E's Irie Version)
   

1. BONUS: Don-E - Crazy (Kym B's Psycho Blend)

Discogs page

Download: D-E-C.7z | Filesize: 59.1MB

Blu Cantrell Featuring Sean Paul ‎– Breathe (CD1 & CD2) - (2003)

CD1 CDS: Arista ‎– 82876545722, BMG ‎– 82876545722

CD2 Maxi: Arista ‎– 82876534012

Blu Cantrell (born Tiffany Cobb, October 1, 1976 in Providence, Rhode Island) is an American R&B singer. She was discovered by Red Zone Entertainment heads Tab and Laney Stewart in early 2000. The producers promptly placed her to Antonio "L.A." Reid who offered the singer a contract with his label Arista Records after a successful audition. In 2001, the singer released her gold certified debut album, So Blu.

Breathe is a ridiculously catchy number (produced by Andrea Martin, Ivan Matias, Mark Pitts), sampling Dr Dre & Eminem's track 'What's The Difference' from Dre's 2001 album.

What am I doing explaining this to you? You know this already. 

I'm out! x

Tracklist (CDS)

1. Breathe (Rap Version)
2. Breathe (Radio Mix)
3. Breathe (Ed Funk & D Rok Remix)

Nothing much new here on this disc. The Ed Funk mix is interesting but I still prefer the original.

Tracklist (Maxi)

1. Breathe (Rap Version) (Radio Mix)
2. Breathe (No Rap Version) (Radio Mix)
3. Breathe (Andy & The Lamboy Radio Edit)
4. Breathe (Instrumental)

Download: BC-B.7z | Filesize: 59.4MB

Don-E - Love Makes The World Go Round - UK CDS - (1992)

4th & Broadway 12 BRW 242

320 Re-up! Originally posted by Mick on 16/06/2008.

I LOVE Don-E, and I view him as one of the UK's finest artists. This one is a classic and better still would follow. While you're checking this, make sure to buy all the British Collective stuff you can get your hands on. They are comprised of Don-e, Junior, Leee John, Noel McKoy, Omar and Special Guests such as Carl McKintosh and other classic UK soul voices.

Here's Micky's original write-up (and yes, Don-E is from Brixton).

Kym x

Don-E came out of South London if I remember rightly, can anybody confirm that. A multi talented young lad with a good understanding of what was happening at the time. This debut release had a huge impact on the soul & dance scene with Don-E being proclaimed as both a genius and a Stevie Wonder sound-alike. Oh well, can't please them all but I'd take that as a compliment anyway?

Personally, I think the London Mix is blinding and Mystery is a cool track too. Grab the album if you can, there are some damn good tracks on it.

 

Tracklist

1. Love Makes The World Go Round (Radio Mix)
2. Love Makes The World Go Round (Extended Club Mix)
3. Love Makes The World Go Round (London Mix)
4. Mystery

Discogs page

Download D-E-LMTWGR.7z| Filesize: 43.7MB

YoYo Honey - Groove On - UKCDS - (1991)

Zomba Music JIVE T 289

Reup: Originally posted by Mickey P 02/05/2008

Mick said: This is the reason I like YoYo Honey so much, the second single prior to the album and another Perfecto Mix. Hardly necessary though because the Club Mix is more than adequate but still, Oakenfold & Osbourne make it silky smooth. This for me, is Shoniwa's finest hour, Groove On does exactly what it says on the can. Infectious, this groove goes straight for the jugular.

The producer behind this excellent groove is Michael Peden who was also a member of The Chimes.

Kymba note: This is a rip from the CD single and as such the tracklist doesn't wholly match Mick's original post images.

Tracklist

1. Groove On (7" Radio)
2. Groove On (Perfecto Mix)
   
3. Groove On (12" Club Mix)
   
4. Groove On (12" Dub Mix)

Discogs page

Download: YYH-GO.7z | Filesize: 48.4 MB

Hi-Five - I Like The Way (The Kissing Game) - UK CDS - (1991)

JIVE CD 271

Formed in Waco, Texas in 1989, Hi-Five consisted of the original founding members Tony Thompson, Roderick "Pooh" Clark, Marcus Sanders, Russell Neal, and Oaklahoma, native, Toriano Easley (who left the group shortly after release of the first single "Just Can't Handle It") and Hi-Five's management New York native Treston Irby, to complete the five remember, quintet teen group.

Now, the band, in various line-up changes would go on to suffer some really horrific tragedies which I really can't do justice to in a review of a CD Single. I'm so very sorry, boys!

Check here for more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi-Five#Tragedy,_Death,_and_Later_years

Also included is the New Jack Swing classic Just Can't Handle It, allegedly a true story from Mr Teddy Riley's history. You can look at this story two ways; a young man's sexual awakening at the hands of a sexy, experienced woman... or a minor being groomed and something where the police should be called.

I pick the former!

Also included is Sweetheart, which is a quite by-the-numbers affair, so just jump straight into track two and three.

Peace & luvizm x

Tracklist

1. I Like The Way (7" Edit)
2. I Like The Way (Full Length Version)
3. Just Can't Handle It (Teddy's 7" Edit)
4. Sweetheart

Discogs page

Download: HF-ILTW.7z | Filesize: 40.4MB